"Impose whatever sanctions you like but I am the leader of a free people," said Maduro in response to U.S. sanctions.

In a public address, Maduro declared, "Impose whatever sanctions you like but I am the leader of the free people."

The comments come after the U.S. Treasury Department announced it will impose sanctions directly on President Maduro.

The sanctions mean Maduro's assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction are now frozen and people from the U.S. are prohibited from dealing with the head of state.

Maduro lambasted the sanctions as an "imperialist attack" against Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, ANC.

"Why are they sanctioning me? Because I called democratic elections so that people can freely vote for the National Constituent Assembly," he said. "I feel proud to be sanctioned Mr Imperialist Donald Trump."